Oil burner



April 19 1927' s. E. WEAVER OIL BURNER Filed Jan. 21, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fwk.

A TTORNEYU:

.Apnl s. E. WEAVER OIL BURNER Filed Jan. 21, 1925 ATTORNEYS. E.

Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

STATES SAMUEL E. WEAVER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

OIL BURNER.

Application filed January This invention relates to that type of liquid fuel burners adapted to produce an intense heating flame, in which a boiler is em ployod for the generation of steam and the latter caused to entrain liquid fuel, such as oil, in a pipe system by which the oil and steam are fed to the burner disposed in relation to the pipe system and boiler to 1111- part its heat thereto so as to generate steam in the boiler and vaporize the oil and superheat the steam in the pipe system, whereby a highly combustible mixture ol sleam and oil is produced for the propagation of the heating flame. Water is supplied to the boiler through-a pipe from a low pressure water leed tank, which pipe leads from near the bottom of the tank and enters the boiler near its bottom. In the operation 01 burners of this-type, it is round that the relative levels or water in the boiler and tank are subjected to wide and violent fluctuations and results in the propagation of a heating flame of varying intensities. This fluctuations arises by reason of the fact that the pressure of the steam as it rises, obstructs and retards the flow or water from the feed tank, and the water level in the boiler soon falls below that in the feed tank. This condition continues until all of the water in the boiler is converted into steam, and as the steam flows to the burner through the pipe system, it ceases to exert any pressure in the boiler and no longer oil'ers any obstruction to the feed of the water thereto. hen this condition is reached, the head of water in the feed tank causes a sudden surge of water into the boiler, and due to the high temperature which in the meantime the boiler walls have attained, the water entering the boiler is suddenly flashed or converted into steam and produces a violent and sudden flow ot' the steam and oil through. the pipe system and a sudden increase of the heating flame issuing from the burner orifices. All of this is very objectionable and greatly reduces the etliciency or the burner in the generation of heat.

It is the aim or the present invention to overcome this objectionable action and to insure that the level or the water in the feed tank will be the same as that in the boiler and that such correspondence of levels will be maintained under all conditions of operation, and to this end the invention consists in providing a communication between the air space of the feed tank and the steam 21, 1925. Serial No. 3,709.

space of the boiler, which in the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings by way of example, is effected by means or a pipe communicating with the air space of the feed tank and leading thence to and communicating with the steam space of the boiler. Due to the provision of this pipe the flow of Water to the boiler will be no longer retarded by the steam pressure, as the pressure in the boiler and feed tank will be equalized and will thereby maintain equal levels of water therein.

The invention consists also of an improved means for regulating the level ol water in the feed tank to vary the intensity of the heating llame'as desired.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of my improved burner with portions broken away to better show the construction.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation on an enlarged scale on the line 3-3 01 Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4: is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the water reed tank and adjacent parts on the line t-l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional plan view through the water feed tank on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings:

The burner shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example as embodying my invention comprises a boiler 1 in the form of a flat rectangular. upright vessel, a water teed tank 2 which is shown as receiving water from a supply main 3 furnished with a pressure reducing valve 4, from which tank a pipe 5 leads from near the bottom thereof and enters the boiler near its bottom to supply water thereto. A pipe system in the form of a coil 6 surrounds the boiler at its sides and ends, thebottom coil 7 of which system extends on opposite sides of the boiler at its base and is furnished with burner orifices for the emission of the heating flame. The top coil 8 of the system communicates near its end with the top of the boiler through a communicating pipe 9 so that the steam from the boiler will enter the pipe system and traverse the same, and fuel oil is admitted to the coil 8 from an oil supply pipe 10, which communicates with the coil 8 adjacent the pipe 9 so that the oil will be entrained by the steam and will be atomized and mixed therewith, which mixture will traverse the pipe system and will issue through the burner orifices as a. heating flame, which playing on the overlying coils will super-heat the steam and vaporize the oil and thereby produce a highly combustible mixture. The parts above described constitute an oil burner of well known form, and except in so far as hereinafter indicated said burner in itself forms no part of the present invention.

My invention as before stated, is designed to maintain equal levels of the water in the boiler and feed tank to avoid tluct-mitions of th same, which, as hereinbefore pointed out occur with heating burners of this type, and in carrying out my invention 1 establish a coimminication between the air space above the water in the water feed tank and the steam space of the boiler, which is elfected by a pipe 11 which communicates at one end with the interior of the feed tank above the body of water therein and leads therefrom to the boiler where it is connected at its other end to the same and conmmnicates with the steam space thereof. This pipe arranged and connected in the manner stated, causes the pressures in the boiler and feed tank to equalize, so that there will be no dominating pressure of steam in the boiler as heretofore to retard the feed of water into the boiler, and the water from the tank will feed regularly and uniformly into the boiler in accordance with the depletic-n of the water from its conversion into steam. Therefore the levels of water in the two receptacles will be maintained relatively at the same height under all working condi tions. This will insure a heating flame of uniform intensity and a regularity ofoperation of the burner with the maximum of eilicienoy.

In the drawings, the connecting pipe 11 is shown as being provided with a depressed portion having a depending branch 12, Fig. l, discharging into a water drain tank 13. At its bottom this tank is formed with a discharge port 14 closed by a needle valve 15 connected to and controlled by a float 16. The purpose of this tank is to receive the water of condensation in the connecting pipe 11, which water will collect in the depressed portion of the pipe and will flow into the tank, from which the accumulated water will from time to time be discharged by the operation of the float when the water in the tank reaches a predetermined level.

In order to vary the level of the water in the feed tank and thereby vary the intensity of the heating fiame desired, 1 have devised the mechanism shown in Figs. t and 5, where it will be seen that the entrance of water from the supply main to the feed tank 2 is controlled by a needle valve 1? having its stem extended upwardly loosely hrougn a float l8 and having asliding hearing at its upper end in the upper end of a tubular frame 19 disposed in the tank above the float. This frame 19 has on its upper end an externally threaded neck 19 which is screwed into a boss on the cap or top of the tank, nd on its outer end outside of the tank t 1e neck has fixed to it a turning wheel 20 for the purpose of adjusting the frame up and down as will be presently more fully described. Below the threaded neck the frame 19 is enlarged and formed with a central chamber or bore 19 in which is located a collar 21 surroumling and fixed to the stem of the needle valve and formed with a peripheral groove 21". A lever system 22 is carried by the frame 19 and is engaged respectively with the grooved collar 21 and with he float, the construction and relative arangement of the parts being such that when the frame 19 is moved downwardly, he water level will be lowered, and when moved upwardly the water level will be raised, the turning wheel 20 being marked with suit able gradual-ions, in the present instance three entitled High, Low and Me diam, which are adapted to be read in connection with a fixed pointer 23 on the cap of the tank. whereby the perator will be enabled to determine the amount of adjustment of the frame necessary to obtain the desired condition or the heating :llanre.

The lever system is formed to give a relatively small movement of the needle valve in proportion to the movement of the float, and to etiect this object the lever system is of the construction shown in Fig. l, where it will be seen that two upper horisontal levers 2e, 24 are pivoted near their inner ends to the frame 19 on diametrically opposite sides as at 25, the inner short arms of tnesc levers being formed with heads 26 engagec in the groove in the collar 21. At their outer ends the levers are jointed by means of short links 2? to the outer short arms of two levers 28, 28 pivoted as at 29 to the frame 19 at opposite sides of the same and extending inwardly towards each other in opposite directions and crossing each other on opposite sides of the valve stem. At their outer ends the long arms of these levers 28 are jointed to the outer short arms of two levers 30, 80 by means of links 81, which levers 30 are pivoted to the frame 18 on opposite sides of the same as at The long arms of these levers 30 extend in opposite directions and cross each other and have their free ends bearing on the upper end of the float at diametrically opposite points tank, while the adjustmei'it of the frame downwardly will be in etl'ect to lower the float and providefor a lower level of the water. Due to the multiplying effect of the lever system as shown, I am enabled to effect the adjustmentof' the water level in a very accurate and reliable manner, and to thereby vary at will and with certainty and reliability, the intensity of the heating flame. It will be seen from this construction that the effect of the rise of the float will be to lower the valve a very short distance in proportion to the movement of the float, but by reason of the multiplying efiect of the lever system as described, the valve will be seated with a. pressure greatly in proportion to that exerted on the float by the rise of the water, the construction illustrated giving about a proportion of to 1.

In the operation of the device, the heating flames issuing from the burner orifices in the pipes 7, play on definite areas or zones on the opposite sides of the boiler, and ac cording to the level of the water in the boiler, more or less of this heating zone will be covered by the water and more or less steam correspondingly generated. A higher level of the water in the boiler will expose more of the water to the heating efl'ect of the burner, and will result in a greater generation of steam, whereas a lower level of the water will expose less of the water to the heating effect of the burner and the generation of the steam will be less. When the generation of steam, thus controlled by the level of the water, increases, a greater amount of oil will be entrained by the steam and a greater intensity of heat will be produced by the burner, so that by reason of the capability of maintaining the same levels of water in the feed tank and in the boiler, and the capability of controlling such levels by the adjustment of the float in the water feed tank, the heating effect of the burner may be accordingly definitely controlled. There is therefore a peculiar and advantageous functional relation between the means employed for maintaining equal levels of water in the feed tank and boiler, and the burner supplied with oil entrained by the steam generated in the boiler, as by varying the level of the water in the boiler as above described, the heating effect of the burner may be definitely and reliably controlled and varied, a very important consideration in connection with oil operated heating burners now so extensively employed as a substitute for coal in the heating of houses, etc.

In order to start the operation of the burner, oil is admitted by a pipe 33 to a pan surrounding the bottom of the boiler and pipe system, and this oil is ignited to start the generation of steam, and as the mixture of steam and vaporized oil issues from the burner orifices, and becomes i gnitcd, the supply of oil through the pipe 33 is cut oil. This pan subserves the further function of collecting any oil that might escape unignit-ed from the burner orifices, which oil may be drawn off by the pipe 33.

In the foregoing description and acconr panying drawings I have set forth my invention in the particular detailed form and construction which I prefer to adopt and which in practice has been found to answer to a satisfactory degree the ends to be attained. It will be manifest however that these details may be variously changed and modified without departing from the limits of the invention; and it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular form or construction of the parts ex; cept in so far as such limitations are specitied in the claims.

Having thus what 1 claim is:

i. in combination with an oil burner comprising a boiler, a. water feed tank adapted to supply the boiler with water, and a burner supplied with a mixture of steam from the boiler and oil entrained by said steam, said mixture being heated by the burner flame, means for establishing communication between the air space of the water feed tank andthe steam space of the boiler for equalizing the pressures therein to maintain equal water levels.

2. In combination with an oil burner comprising a boiler, a water feed tank adapted to supply the boiler with water, and a burner supplied with a mixture of steam from the boiler and oil entrained by said steam, said mixture being heated by the burner flame, a pipe leading from the air space of the water feed tank to the steam space of the boil-er for equalizing the pressures therein and means for varying the water level in the tank to correspondingly vary the water level in the boiler and thereby vary the heating efl'ect of the burner.

3. In an oil burner, the combination of a boiler, a water feed tank in communication with the boiler to feed water thereto, a burner, means whereby the steam from the boiler will entrain oil and supply a mixture of oil and steam to the burner, said mixture in its passage to the burner being subjected to the vaporizing action of the heatof the burner, and means for establishing communication between the air space of the water feed tank and the steam space of the boiler for equalizing the pressures therein to maintain equal water levels.

hln an oil burner, the combination of a boiler, a water feed tank in communication with the boiler to feed water thereto, a burner, a pipe system surrounding the boiler above the burner and communicating respectively with the steam space of the boiler described my invention,

and with the burner, neans for supplying oil to the pipe system so that it will be entrained by the steam and caused to traverse the pipe system and be delivered to the ourner, and means for establishing communication between the air space of the water feed tank and the steam space of the boiler tor equalizing the pressures therein to maintain equal water levels.

in an oil burner, the combination of a boil r, a water feed tank in communication with the boiler [O teed water thereto a burner, a pipe system surrounding the heiler above thi burns and con'iiuunicating respetively w i the steam space of the boiler and witn plyii oil to the )ipe system so that it will be tatrained by the steam a .d caused to traverse the pipe system and be delivered to the burner, a pipe con'unui atiug respectively with the air space of the water teed tank and with the steam space for equalizing the pressures therein, and i'ueans for varying); the water level in the tank to correspondingly vary the water level in the boiler and thereby vary the heating etiect of the burner.

6. In combination with an oil burner com prising a boiler, a water feed tank adapted to supply the boiler with water, and a burner supplied with a mixture of steam from the boiler and oil entrained by said steam said mixture being heated by the burner flame,

the burn-er, means for sup of the boiler means for establishing; comi'nunicat-ion between the air space of the water feed tank and the steam space of the boiler for equal lasing the pressures therein and means for varying the level of the Water in the feed tank to the intensity of the heating flame.

7. lnan oil burner, the combination oi a boiler, a water eed tank communicating with the boiler to feed water thereto, a burner disposed with relation to the boiler so that the heating flamewill play on a definite zone on the side of the boiler, a pipe system surrounding the boiler above the burner and communicating respectively with the steam space of the boiler and with the burner, means for supplying oil to the pipe system so that it will be entrained by the steam and caused to traverse the pipe system and be delivered to the burner, means is]: establishing connnunication between the air space oi? the water teed tank and the can space of the boiler for equalizing the presiu'es therein and thereby maintaining euual le *els of water and means for varying water level oi the water fed tank; he level of the water in the boiler be varied and the heating effect of burner correspondingly varied.

testimony whereof, I have afiixed my signature hereto.

SAMUEL E. WEAVER- 

